The technology Channel landscape is forecasted to undergo significant changes in the coming years, with industry consolidation, the rise of new delivery models, and the entry of nontraditional competitors all posing significant challenges. In this rapidly changing environment, it's important that both suppliers and selling partners stay ahead of the curve, so they can beat out their competition and continue to meet their customers' wants and needs. 

As we approach the new year, here are some of the key trends that we foresee will impact the Channel in 2023: 

When it comes to connectivity for your business, nothing is more important than ensuring that you always have fast and reliable internet access. But simply having high-speed internet isn't enough – you also need security and performance features to keep your data safe and ensure that your applications run smoothly. This is where SD-WAN and SASE come in. 

SD-WAN provides the foundation of connectivity with its robust technology for establishing fast and secure connections. At the same time, SASE adds enterprise-grade security and application performance features that can't be matched by other services. Together, these tools form a powerful combination that can help improve any business's efficiency and performance. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a concept from sci-fi movies. It has become a reality that is shaping businesses and industries worldwide. 

AI is a field of computer science and engineering that focuses on the creation of intelligent agents. Intelligent agents are systems that can reason, learn, and act autonomously. AI applications can be used in a variety of different fields, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation. 

With rapid technological advancements, AI has come a long way since its early days. Here's a look at how AI is being used today and where it is headed in the future. 

With new technology comes new opportunities for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities. But what are the most common security threats businesses face today? 

Here's a rundown of the ten most common security threats businesses need to be aware of and how to avoid them. 

In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack affected more than 230,000 computers in 150 countries, including hospitals, businesses, and government agencies. The attack was particularly devastating because it exploited a known security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows that had been patched months earlier. This shows that even if you're using up-to-date software, you're not necessarily safe from cyberattacks. 

The number and severity of cyberattacks will only increase in the future. With the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), more devices are connected to the internet than ever before. This means that there are more potential attack vectors for hackers to exploit. As we become increasingly reliant on technology, the stakes are getting higher. In fact, according to Cybercrime Magazine, cybercrime is expected to cost $10.5 trillion USD annually by 2025. 

Since October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it's the perfect time to reflect on the dangers that lurk online and take steps to protect yourself and your organization. 

Rapid digital transformation is resulting in changes in the workplace, how we interact with customers, and the nature of work. This is creating new challenges for businesses, which must find ways to keep up. One way that companies are meeting these challenges is by implementing SD-WAN technology. 

In the technology world, change is the only constant. And in recent years, there have been two major changes that have rocked the industry: cloud computing and edge computing. So what are these two trends, and how do they differ? More importantly, how do they work together to provide the best possible experience? 

Many business owners are still trying to wrap their heads around the massive changes brought on by the internet. And now, with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology becoming mainstream, businesses face another wave of transformation. How will AR/VR impact business? What new opportunities will it create? Let's take a look at some of the ways businesses are already using AR/VR and how it's changing the way we work. 

Internet of Things (IoT) is key to the successful adoption of a variety of solutions, such as AI (and machine learning), 5G, cybersecurity and more. Learn how this emerging solution will only continue to impact and transform other technologies in 2022 and beyond.  

Cryptocurrency has continued to gain popularity over the past decade, ever since it first launched 13 years ago. However, the story behind it goes far beyond 2008. 

As CPaaS continues to be utilized by businesses to enhance customer experience, several technological developments will offer benefits to businesses far beyond communications.  

CCaaS, once considered a luxury, is now being utilized by a growing number of contact centers in the wake of the pandemic. Find out more about why contact centers are implementing the cloud-based platform. 

As hybrid work continues to grow in 2022, demand for technical solutions, such as security and cloud communications, will increase, further changing the Channel itself. Partners must be proactive in staying informed of changes in the industry if they want to take advantage of crucial selling opportunities. 

Just twenty years ago, Unified Communications as a Service, otherwise known as UCaaS, referred mostly to voice solutions and was only seen as a replacement for traditional phone services. However, it has since transformed to include a suite of business communication solutions, including phone, email, voice messaging, and conferencing. As these tools are being utilized in a variety of industries and businesses, the UCaaS market is becoming more lucrative than ever.

Private equity within the Channel is increasing, especially as more companies look for outside investments to grow and expand their organizations. The B2B technology industry is a prime target for private equity firms and it’s easy to see why when the market is valued at $3.5 trillion. According to Forrester, that figure is only expected to double in terms of GDP from 5% to 10% in the next decade. 

Private equity firms can clearly see the value of the Channel, and with the future looking brighter than ever, they are keen to take advantage of the sector while it’s on the rise. However, private equity does not come without its own risks, which is why TBI continues to remain independently owned. 

According to Statista, the number of IoT devices is constantly growing. There are about 10 billion connected IoT devices in the world now. Roughly 90% of them are unmanageable and unprotected, meaning there is no centralized management platform, no centralized monitoring of events, settings are manually configured, etc.

In the current pandemic conditions, with a large number of users working from their home offices, the issue arises of managing information security risks associated with home IoT devices. Printers, Smart TVs, file storage, video surveillance cameras and other equipment are often connected to the same home network as the devices from which corporate data is accessed. Compromised devices may lead to a data breach. People who install and use all these smart devices at home often have minimal knowledge in the field of information security.

I want to touch upon the information security problems associated with IoT devices, as well as some approaches to solving these problems.

SolarWinds, the Colonial Pipeline, JBS. . . cyberattacks continue to make headlines, bringing greater threat to businesses, your customers and you. When a breach happens, it can be devastating to any organization, big or small. So, what responsibility do you have as a partner to help keep your customers protected? Some might say a great deal, given that businesses depend on you to help and advise them.

Along with focusing on your customers’ growing IT needs and challenges, it will serve you well to be talking security throughout your conversations, even if it is not your focus or primary business.

Do you want fries with that? It’s a cross sell that we’re all familiar with. You placed your order and now you’re being asked if you want a side of something else. There is a reason that major corporations use this popular tactic – it works. You’re already a customer, they have you there, and when ask if you want something else, you realize that you just might.  

5G and IoT will change our world! That’s what we’ve been promised. For years, we have been hearing how 5G will have us working at lightning speed and how IoT will have objects and devices around us operating autonomously. As we enter the 5G and IoT world, let’s explore what this means for mobility and what is on the horizon for businesses.

Today, your customers operate their IT infrastructure and run applications across many cloud environments. They continue to invest in cloud for easy deployment, flexibility, cost management and performance. Nearly all organizations have embraced a multi-cloud strategy – 93% according to Flexera 2020 State of the Cloud Report. The pandemic sped up transformation initiatives, and technology partners should capitalize on migrations and improving experience. If you have not downloaded it yet, be sure to get The Cloud Journey Guide for insights on how to maximize demand.